Las Vegas February, 2010

We went to Las Vegas for the fun of it.

We flew Southwest and Mischel got us a deal at the Palazzo, between the Wynn and the Venetian. Here’s the view from our room:

Palazzo: view from our room

We had a good view of the nightly pirate ship battles in front of Treasure Island. The Palazzo expansion project on the left is stopped, with the construction cranes parked.

Monday, February 8

Our neighbor Jeannie gave us a ride to the airport (I drove) and we flew Southwest from San Jose to Las Vegas. We took a cab to the Palazzo and checked in. The normal room is a mini-suit, with a step-down between the bedroom and living room areas. The remote control drapes and sheers are fun. Mischel upgraded our comp room to one with a view.

We had dinner at the café in the Wynn.

One reason we go this time of year is to see the Chinese New Year’s decorations. All the casinos were decorated except, curiously, the new Mandarin Oriental at City Center.

Wynn: Mischel and lobby dragon

Tuesday, February 9

The huge City Center project is partly open now. It’s not downtown, it’s on the strip between the Bellagio and the Monte Carlo, near the MGM Grand, which partly owns it. The Aria hotel/casino uses MGM player cards.

We went to the Aria to get our tickets for the Viva Elvis show that evening.

Aria: lobby

Aria: Elvis

We had lunch at the Aria café.

Aria: café

Aria: waterfall

Aria: Lobby Art (actually, his name is John)

Then we took a taxi back to the Palazzo.

Palazzo: motor entrance & fountain

Later we went back to the Aria for the Viva Elvis show.

The Mandarin Oriental hotel in the City Center complex is strange. The street level has art galleries, the motor entrance is down one level, and the real lobby is on the 23^rd floor. And no Chinese New Year’s decorations.

This gallery features Dale Chihuly glass and lithograph works:

City Center: Chihuly Gallery; Mischel

City Center: Chihuly Gallery; John

City Center: Chihuly Gallery

The big pieces didn’t have prices. The smaller pieces started at about $5,000.

We saw the Viva Elvis show. It’s a Cirque du Soleil production, but it’s really a song and dance tribute, with a couple segments of narrated photos, and some circus. The music was great, but I’ll bet they can charge more with the “Cirque du Soleil” name.

Then we took the tram from City Center to the Bellagio. At the Bellagio, we found the world’s largest chocolate fountain:

Bellagio: Chocolate fountain; girls

Then, on to the Conservatory. Lots of big gold coins means lots of good luck:

Bellagio: Conservatory

Wednesday, February 10

We went back to City Center to check out the Mandarin Oriental hotel.

City Center: Mischel & eraser

We took the elevator to the 23^rd floor lobby:

Mandarin Oriental lobby: Mischel

Interesting space heaters outside:

Mandarin Oriental entrance: Mischel

Palazzo: lobby

We had dinner at the SW Steakhouse at the Wynn. The “SW” is for Steve Wynn. We shared a lobster appetizer and a porterhouse for two. Very good, except they cut up the porterhouse before serving it.

Thursday, February 11

We gambled some more, then flew Southwest to San Jose and took a cab home.

Appendix: City Center and The Strip (other people’s pictures)

City Center is a new hotel/condo/shopping complex. It’s not all open yet.

City Center complex

Aria is a hotel/casino, the pair of curved buildings at the back.

City Center: Aria hotel/casino

The places we went this trip are highlighted on the next page; HGV is Hilton Grand Vacations.

The places X’d out are gone. Empty fields.

The cabfare between the Palazzo and City Center is about $10. It would take about an hour to walk it.